Illegal immigration fixes can be simple

Published: Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:58 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 25, 2007 at 8:17 a.m.

People keep saying that the current immigration problem is complex. Actually it is complex only for those who are not guided by clear principles in their life. For the rest of us it is quite simple. Here are my suggestions.

First, the law must be followed. That means that you do things in a legal manner. You do not sneak across the border. You do not employ foreign workers without government approval.

Second, if you seek to come here to work, then you get in line and get a work visa. The vast majority of illegals working in this country are performing manual labor. In most countries this falls under the category of guest worker. In that case you come in by yourself, leaving your family behind, work a certain number of years, then leave. This country needs the workers, and the workers need the high wages they are paid. Where the deal falls down is when the workers seek to remain here permanently and bring in their wives, children, parents, cousins etc.

Third, give job preferences to American workers who want to work hard and put in a full day’s work. Once that resource is empty then move on to foreign guest workers. Notice I said, "Americans who want to work hard." Many of these jobs are hot, dirty and long. I assure you, the list of Americans who want these jobs will be short.

Fourth, secure the border completely, even if that means placing the Army or the National Guard there. If you wish to come in, you come in through normal checkpoints. Further, there needs to be a complete wall on the Mexican border. I also would increase the legal checkpoints, however.

I am tired of hearing that this wall would be like the "Berlin Wall." That wall was to keep people from leaving East Germany. No one was trying to sneak into the old East Germany.

Fifth, establish a foolproof identity and/or employment card. With that, employers will have no excuse in hiring undocumented aliens. I also would suggest a reward system similar to Crimestoppers to report on employers who knowingly hire illegals. Provide the reporting person 10 percent of the fine. You would be amazed at the response.

Finally, if you are illegal and have a child in this country, it will have the nationality of your homeland since technically you have not been admitted to this country.

Summing up, make it easy to live and work here legally, and a crime if you break the law.

<p>People keep saying that the current immigration problem is complex. Actually it is complex only for those who are not guided by clear principles in their life. For the rest of us it is quite simple. Here are my suggestions.</p><p>First, the law must be followed. That means that you do things in a legal manner. You do not sneak across the border. You do not employ foreign workers without government approval.</p><p>Second, if you seek to come here to work, then you get in line and get a work visa. The vast majority of illegals working in this country are performing manual labor. In most countries this falls under the category of guest worker. In that case you come in by yourself, leaving your family behind, work a certain number of years, then leave. This country needs the workers, and the workers need the high wages they are paid. Where the deal falls down is when the workers seek to remain here permanently and bring in their wives, children, parents, cousins etc.</p><p>Third, give job preferences to American workers who want to work hard and put in a full day’s work. Once that resource is empty then move on to foreign guest workers. Notice I said, "Americans who want to work hard." Many of these jobs are hot, dirty and long. I assure you, the list of Americans who want these jobs will be short.</p><p>Fourth, secure the border completely, even if that means placing the Army or the National Guard there. If you wish to come in, you come in through normal checkpoints. Further, there needs to be a complete wall on the Mexican border. I also would increase the legal checkpoints, however.</p><p>I am tired of hearing that this wall would be like the "Berlin Wall." That wall was to keep people from leaving East Germany. No one was trying to sneak into the old East Germany.</p><p>Fifth, establish a foolproof identity and/or employment card. With that, employers will have no excuse in hiring undocumented aliens. I also would suggest a reward system similar to Crimestoppers to report on employers who knowingly hire illegals. Provide the reporting person 10 percent of the fine. You would be amazed at the response.</p><p>Finally, if you are illegal and have a child in this country, it will have the nationality of your homeland since technically you have not been admitted to this country.</p><p>Summing up, make it easy to live and work here legally, and a crime if you break the law.</p><p>Mark Lazarre,</p><p>immigration lawyer</p><p>Baton Rouge</p>